A fake social media post about Iran’s nuclear programme has caused confusion in the United States and Israel amid the ongoing tensions in West Asia.
On August 5, an Indian user on X shared a post claiming that IRGC Commander Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi had said Iran would continue its nuclear programme as long as Israel and the US possessed nuclear weapons. The post also included an AI-generated image showing a nuclear explosion.
The post quickly went viral. Some Israeli media outlets reported the claim as genuine, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US officials also referred to it. US Representative Mike Waltz and Senator Rick Scott shared the claim on social media, further increasing its reach.
However, a subsequent fact-check by The Times found that the claim was false. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei condemned the incident, calling it part of a disinformation campaign against Iran.
Waltz later deleted his post after the claim was found to be false.
The incident highlights how AI-generated images and fake social media claims can quickly spread misinformation, especially during an ongoing conflict. Iran continues to maintain that its nuclear programme is intended for peaceful and civilian purposes.
